Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure encompass compositions and methods for generating immune responses in an animal or human host. Embodiments of the compositions encompass proteins derived from the surface proteins of bacteria and protozoa, and in particular the flagellum component flagellin, and which have adjunctival properties when administered in conjunction with an immunogen. Embodiments of the compositions of the disclosure are modified to incorporate a heterologous transmembrane-cytoplasmic domain allowing the peptides to be incorporated into virus-like particles. Embodiments of the methods of generating an immunological response in an animal or human comprise exposing the immune system of an animal or human host to an immunogen and a virus-like particle comprising an adjuvant polypeptide including a host cell Toll-like receptor ligand polypeptide having a transmembrane-cytoplasmic tail polypeptide, and a heterologous signal peptide.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure encompass compositions and methods for generating immune responses in an animal or human host. Embodiments of the compositions encompass proteins derived from the surface proteins of bacteria and protozoa, and in particular the flagellum component flagellin, and which have adjunctival properties when administered in conjunction with an immunogen. Embodiments of the compositions of the disclosure are modified to incorporate a heterologous transmembrane-cytoplasmic domain allowing the peptides to be incorporated into virus-like particles. Embodiments of the methods of generating an immunological response in an animal or human comprise exposing the immune system of an animal or human host to an immunogen and a virus-like particle comprising an adjuvant polypeptide including a host cell Toll-like receptor ligand polypeptide having a transmembrane-cytoplasmic tail polypeptide, and a heterologous signal peptide.

Abstract: Briefly described, virus-like particles, methods of preparing virus-like particles, immunogenic compositions that include virus-like particles, and methods of eliciting an immune response using immunogenic compositions that include virus-like particles are described herein. A virus-like particle (VLP) can include a viral core protein that can self assemble into the VLP core and at least one viral surface envelope glycoprotein expressed on the surface of the VLP. The VLP can also optionally include at least one adjuvant molecule expressed on the surface of the VLP.